Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked feature

ABSTRACT

Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features, are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. Each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires has a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and has end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness. A gate stack is surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of integrated circuit structures and processing and, in particular, gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features.

BACKGROUND

For the past several decades, the scaling of features in integrated circuits has been a driving force behind an ever-growing semiconductor industry. Scaling to smaller and smaller features enables increased densities of functional units on the limited real estate of semiconductor chips. For example, shrinking transistor size allows for the incorporation of an increased number of memory or logic devices on a chip, lending to the fabrication of products with increased capacity. The drive for ever-more capacity, however, is not without issue. The necessity to optimize the performance of each device becomes increasingly significant.

In the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, multi-gate transistors, such as tri-gate transistors, have become more prevalent as device dimensions continue to scale down. In conventional processes, tri-gate transistors are generally fabricated on either bulk silicon substrates or silicon-on-insulator substrates. In some instances, bulk silicon substrates are preferred due to their lower cost and because they enable a less complicated tri-gate fabrication process. In another aspect, maintaining mobility improvement and short channel control as microelectronic device dimensions scale below the 10 nanometer (nm) node provides a challenge in device fabrication. Nanowires used to fabricate devices provide improved short channel control.

Scaling multi-gate and nanowire transistors has not been without consequence, however. As the dimensions of these fundamental building blocks of microelectronic circuitry are reduced and as the sheer number of fundamental building blocks fabricated in a given region is increased, the constraints on the lithographic processes used to pattern these building blocks have become overwhelming. In particular, there may be a trade-off between the smallest dimension of a feature patterned in a semiconductor stack (the critical dimension) and the spacing between such features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based device having a constant vertical thickness throughout a nanowire portion.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based device having a differentiated vertical thickness throughout a nanowire portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C includes a plot of long channel delta Vt as a function of Si thickness.

FIG. 1D includes a plot of delta Vt as a function of Si thickness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1E-1I illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in a method of fabricating a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having source or drain-first structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in an method of fabricating a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having source or drain-last structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in an method of fabricating a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having source or drain-last structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in an method of fabricating a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having source or drain-last structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-planar integrated circuit structure as taken along a gate line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates cross-sectional views taken through nanowires and fins for a non-endcap architecture (left-hand side (a)) versus a self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architecture (right-hand side (b)), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates cross-sectional views representing various operations in a method of fabricating a self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) structure with gate-all-around devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A illustrates a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based integrated circuit structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional source or drain view of the nanowire-based integrated circuit structure of FIG. 8A, as taken along the a-a′ axis, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional channel view of the nanowire-based integrated circuit structure of FIG. 8A, as taken along the b-b′ axis, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computing device in accordance with one implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an interposer that includes one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features, are described. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific integration and material regimes, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features, such as integrated circuit design layouts, are not described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the various embodiments shown in the Figures are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Certain terminology may also be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, and “side” describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Embodiments described herein may be directed to front-end-of-line (FEOL) semiconductor processing and structures. FEOL is the first portion of integrated circuit (IC) fabrication where the individual devices (e.g., transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc.) are patterned in the semiconductor substrate or layer. FEOL generally covers everything up to (but not including) the deposition of metal interconnect layers. Following the last FEOL operation, the result is typically a wafer with isolated transistors (e.g., without any wires).

Embodiments described herein may be directed to back-end-of-line (BEOL) semiconductor processing and structures. BEOL is the second portion of IC fabrication where the individual devices (e.g., transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc.) are interconnected with wiring on the wafer, e.g., the metallization layer or layers. BEOL includes contacts, insulating layers (dielectrics), metal levels, and bonding sites for chip-to-package connections. In the BEOL part of the fabrication stage contacts (pads), interconnect wires, vias and dielectric structures are formed. For modern IC processes, more than 10 metal layers may be added in the BEOL.

Embodiments described below may be applicable to FEOL processing and structures, BEOL processing and structures, or both FEOL and BEOL processing and structures. In particular, although an exemplary processing scheme may be illustrated using a FEOL processing scenario, such approaches may also be applicable to BEOL processing. Likewise, although an exemplary processing scheme may be illustrated using a BEOL processing scenario, such approaches may also be applicable to FEOL processing.

One or more embodiments described herein are directed to voltage threshold (Vt) short channel effect (SCE) tuning with necked silicon nanowire or nanoribbon. Embodiments include gate-all-around (GAA) integrated circuit architectures. It is to be appreciated that, unless indicated otherwise, reference to nanowires herein can indicate nanowires or nanoribbons, or even nanosheets or forksheets.

To provide context, voltage threshold (Vt) tuning can require multiple metals (e.g., a complex integration scheme). Short channel effect (SCE) loss with gate length scaling can require thinner silicon.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an approach is to neck silicon (for the whole wafer or in selective regions) to improve short channel effects or to perform Vt tuning without the need for a complex integration scheme. Implementation of embodiments described herein may be detectable using TEM which can reveal relatively thinner silicon (Si) under a metal gate in different chip areas correlated to Vt. The thinner the Si, the higher the Vt, so a high Vt (HVt) device may show a thinner silicon body than low Vt (LVt) device. It is to be appreciated that embodiments can be applicable to nanowires, nanoribbons, nanosheets, forksheets and/or fins.

As a comparative example of a device without a necked feature, FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based device having a constant vertical thickness throughout a nanowire portion.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an integrated circuit structure 100 includes a nanowire 102. The nanowire 102 includes a channel portion 104A with a first vertical thickness and has end portions 104B with a second vertical thickness the same as the first vertical thickness. A gate structure surrounds the channel portion 104A. An exemplary gate structure includes an interfacial oxide 106 and a high-k gate dielectric layer 108, and a gate electrode (not shown) on the high-k gate dielectric layer 108. A spacer structure 110, which may be referred to as an internal spacer and can include a liner portion and a fill portion as is depicted, surrounds each of the end portions 104B of the nanowire 102. Source or drain structures 112 are coupled to the end portions 104B of the nanowire 102. The source or drain structures 112 can be separately formed structures, e.g., by epitaxial growth, as is depicted by the dashed lines 113.

By contrast to FIG. 1A, as an example of a device with a necked feature, FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based device having a differentiated vertical thickness throughout a nanowire portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an integrated circuit structure 120 includes a nanowire 122. The nanowire 122 includes a channel portion 124A with a first vertical thickness and has end portions 124B with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness, providing necked features for the nanowire 122. A gate structure surrounds the channel portion 124A. An exemplary gate structure includes an interfacial oxide 126, a high-k gate dielectric layer 128, and a gate electrode 129 on the high-k gate dielectric layer 128. A spacer structure 130, which may be referred to as an internal spacer and can include a liner portion and a fill portion as is depicted, surrounds each of the end portions 124B of the nanowire 122. Source or drain structures 132 are coupled to the end portions 124B of the nanowire 122. The source or drain structures 132 can be separately formed structures, e.g., by epitaxial growth, as is depicted by the dashed lines 133.

It is to be appreciated that a device can include a vertical stack of nanowires such as nanowire 122. With reference to FIG. 1B and to a vertical stack of nanowires based on a plurality of such nanowires 122, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires 122. Each nanowire 122 of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires has a channel portion 124A with a first vertical thickness and has end portions 124B with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness, providing necked features for the nanowire 122. A gate stack 126/128/129 is surrounding the channel portion 124A of each nanowire 122 of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

In one embodiment, the gate stack 126/128/129 includes a layer 126 of an oxide of the channel portion 124A, a high-k gate dielectric layer 128, and a gate electrode 129 such as a metal gate electrode. In one embodiment, source or drain structures 132 are coupled to the end portions 124B of each nanowire 122 of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. In one embodiment, a spacer structure 130 surrounds each of the end portions 124B of each nanowire 122 of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. In one such embodiment, the spacer structure 130 is vertically overlapping with a portion of the gate stack 126/128/129, e.g., the gate stack 126/128/129 undercuts the spacer structure 130, as is depicted.

To illustrate a benefit of including necked features, FIG. 1C includes a plot 140 of long channel delta Vt as a function of Si thickness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to plot 140, long channel delta Vt increases with decreasing Si thickness.

To illustrate a benefit of including necked features, FIG. 1D includes a plot 142 of delta Vt as a function of Si thickness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to portion 144 of plot 142, Vt tuning can be achieved with a same work-function by tuning Si thickness, e.g., by introducing a necked feature. Referring to portion 146 of plot 142, Vt improvement can be achieved at matched leakage, e.g., by introducing a necked feature.

As a first exemplary process flow for introducing necked features into a nanowire-based device, FIGS. 1E-1I illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in an method of fabricating a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having source or drain-first structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1E, a starting structure 150 includes a substrate 152, such as a silicon substrate, having a fin 154 thereon. The fin 154 includes a plurality of nanowire-forming layers 158, such as silicon layers, and a sacrificial material 160, such as silicon germanium, alternating with the plurality of nanowire-forming layers 158. A dummy gate structure 156, such as a polysilicon dummy gate structure, is over the fin 154 and along sides of the fin 154 (the latter indicated by the dashed lines).

Referring to FIG. 1F, the fin 154 is etched to form a plurality of nanowires 158A and patterned sacrificial material 160A. The stack of the plurality of nanowires 158A and patterned sacrificial material 160A may be formed over a sub-fin 153, e.g., a silicon sub-fin formed as a result of an over etch or epi undercut etch of substrate 152 to form substrate 152A. A recess process may be performed to recess the patterned sacrificial material 160A relative to the plurality of nanowires 158A. A gate spacer 162, such as a silicon nitride spacer, may then be formed along sides of the dummy gate structure 156 and along sides of the recessed patterned sacrificial material 160A. Portions 164 of the gate spacer 162 may be referred to as a cavity spacer or an internal spacer.

Referring again to FIG. 1G, epitaxial source or drain structures 166 are formed at ends of the plurality of nanowires 158A.

Referring to FIG. 1H, a replacement gate process and nanowire release process is used to remove the dummy gate structure 156 and then to remove the patterned sacrificial material 160A to leave the plurality of nanowires 158A remaining and suspended. In an embodiment, at this stage, each of the plurality of nanowires 158A is etched to reduce a vertical thickness of each of the plurality of nanowires 158A. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of nanowires 158A is thinned in a channel region (e.g., the portion exposed upon removal of the dummy gate structure 156. However, the portions of the plurality of nanowires 158A covered by the gate spacer 162 are not etched. In one embodiment, the result is that each of the plurality of nanowires 158A has necked features where a relatively thinner channel region meets end portions, such as described in association with FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 1I, a permanent gate structure is then formed in the structure of FIG. 1H to form structure 199. The permanent gate structure can include a high-k gate dielectric layer 168 and a metal gate electrode 170. Additional processing of structure 199 can include formation of interlayer dielectric material and/or conductive contacts.

By contrast to FIGS. 1E-1I, as an exemplary source or drain-last process flow, FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A-3B and 4A-4B illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in an method of fabricating a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having source or drain-last structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is to be appreciated that, more generally, the source or drain structures described can be adjacent to a stack of nanowires, a stack of nanoribbons, a stack of nanosheets, or a fin.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a starting structure 200 includes a substrate 202, such as a silicon substrate, having a fin 204 thereon. The fin 204 includes a plurality of nanowire-forming layers 208, such as silicon layers, and a sacrificial material 210, such as silicon germanium, alternating with the plurality of nanowire-forming layers 208. A dummy gate structure 206, such as a polysilicon dummy gate structure, is over the fin 204 and along sides of the fin 204 (the latter indicated by the dashed lines.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the fin 204 is etched to form a plurality of nanowires 208A and patterned sacrificial material 210A. The stack of the plurality of nanowires 208A and patterned sacrificial material 210A may be formed over a sub-fin 203, e.g., a silicon sub-fin formed as a result of an over etch or epi undercut etch of substrate 202 to form substrate 202A. A recess process may be performed to recess the patterned sacrificial material 210A relative to the plurality of nanowires 208A. A gate spacer 212, such as a silicon nitride spacer, may then be formed along sides of the dummy gate structure 206 and along sides of the recessed the patterned sacrificial material 210A. The gate spacer 212 may be retained relatively thicker than gate spacer 162 at this stage, since ends of the nanowires 208A do not need to be exposed at this stage in this process flow.

Referring to FIG. 3A, sacrificial insulator fill is performed instead of performing an epi deposition at this stage. In one embodiment, a sacrificial material 240, such as a carbon based hardmask layer (or a sacrificial metal or another dielectric), is formed along sides of the gate spacer 212.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a replacement gate process and nanowire release process is used to remove the dummy gate structure 206 and then to remove the patterned sacrificial material 210A. It is to be appreciated that dummy gate removal (e.g., by a wet clean process) and hi-k preclean can lead to some spacer 212 reduction, but the spacer 212 has margin with the initially increased thickness relative to spacer 162. In an embodiment, at this stage, each of the nanowires 208A is etched to reduce a vertical thickness of each of the nanowires 208A. In one embodiment, each of the nanowires 208A is thinned in a channel region (e.g., the portion exposed upon removal of the dummy gate structure 206. However, the portions of the nanowires 208A covered by the spacer 212 are not etched. In one embodiment, the result is that each of the nanowires 208A has necked features where a relatively thinner channel region meets end portions, such as described in association with FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a permanent gate structure is then formed in the structure of FIG. 2D. The permanent gate structure can include a high-k gate dielectric layer 218 and a metal gate electrode 220.

Referring again to FIG. 4B, the sacrificial material 240 is removed from the structure of FIG. 4A. Epitaxial source or drain structures 216 are formed at ends of the plurality of nanowires 208A to form structure 250. It is to be appreciated that the presence of the high-k gate dielectric layer 218 can inhibit an epi preclean operation performed immediately prior to the formation of the epitaxial source or drain structures 216 from leading to an epi-to-gate short. Additional processing of structure 250 can include formation of interlayer dielectric material and/or conductive contacts.

More generally, in an embodiment, nanowires 158A or 208A are silicon nanowires, silicon germanium nanowires, germanium nanowires, or germanium tin nanowires. In an embodiment, source or drain structures 166 or 216 are silicon source or drain structures, silicon germanium source or drain structures, germanium source or drain structures, or germanium tin source or drain structures. In a particular embodiment, the vertical arrangement of nanowires 158A or 208A includes silicon, and the first and second epitaxial source or drain structures 166 or 216 include silicon and germanium. In another particular embodiment, the vertical arrangement of nanowires 158A or 208A includes silicon and germanium, and the first and second epitaxial source or drain structures 166 or 216 include silicon and germanium.

As used throughout, a silicon layer may be used to describe a silicon material composed of a very substantial amount of, if not all, silicon. However, it is to be appreciated that, practically, 100% pure Si may be difficult to form and, hence, could include a tiny percentage of carbon, germanium or tin. Such impurities may be included as an unavoidable impurity or component during deposition of Si or may “contaminate” the Si upon diffusion during post deposition processing. As such, embodiments described herein directed to a silicon layer may include a silicon layer that contains a relatively small amount, e.g., “impurity” level, non-Si atoms or species, such as Ge, C or Sn. It is to be appreciated that a silicon layer as described herein may be undoped or may be doped with dopant atoms such as boron, phosphorous or arsenic.

As used throughout, a germanium layer may be used to describe a germanium material composed of a very substantial amount of, if not all, germanium. However, it is to be appreciated that, practically, 100% pure Ge may be difficult to form and, hence, could include a tiny percentage of silicon, carbon or tin. Such impurities may be included as an unavoidable impurity or component during deposition of Ge or may “contaminate” the Ge upon diffusion during post deposition processing. As such, embodiments described herein directed to a germanium layer may include a germanium layer that contains a relatively small amount, e.g., “impurity” level, non-Ge atoms or species, such as carbon, silicon or tin. It is to be appreciated that a germanium layer as described herein may be undoped or may be doped with dopant atoms such as boron, phosphorous or arsenic.

As used throughout, a silicon germanium layer may be used to describe a silicon germanium material composed of substantial portions of both silicon and germanium, such as at least 5% of both. In some embodiments, the amount of germanium is greater than the amount of silicon. In particular embodiments, a silicon germanium layer includes approximately 60% germanium and approximately 40% silicon (Si₄₀Ge₆₀). In other embodiments, the amount of silicon is greater than the amount of germanium. In particular embodiments, a silicon germanium layer includes approximately 30% germanium and approximately 70% silicon (Si₇₀Ge₃₀). It is to be appreciated that, practically, 100% pure silicon germanium (referred to generally as SiGe) may be difficult to form and, hence, could include a tiny percentage of carbon or tin. Such impurities may be included as an unavoidable impurity or component during deposition of SiGe or may “contaminate” the SiGe upon diffusion during post deposition processing. As such, embodiments described herein directed to a silicon germanium layer may include a silicon germanium layer that contains a relatively small amount, e.g., “impurity” level, non-Ge and non-Si atoms or species, such as carbon or tin. It is to be appreciated that a silicon germanium layer as described herein may be undoped or may be doped with dopant atoms such as boron, phosphorous or arsenic.

As used throughout, a germanium tin layer may be used to describe a germanium tin material composed of substantial portions of both germanium and tin, such as at least 5% of both. In some embodiments, the amount of germanium is greater than the amount of tin. In other embodiments, the amount of tin is greater than the amount of germanium. It is to be appreciated that, practically, 100% pure germanium tin (referred to generally as GeSn) may be difficult to form and, hence, could include a tiny percentage of carbon or silicon. Such impurities may be included as an unavoidable impurity or component during deposition of GeSn or may “contaminate” the GeSn upon diffusion during post deposition processing. As such, embodiments described herein directed to a germanium tin layer may contain a relatively small amount, e.g., “impurity” level, non-Ge and non-Sn atoms or species, such as carbon or silicon. It is to be appreciated that a germanium tin layer as described herein may be undoped or may be doped with dopant atoms such as boron, phosphorous or arsenic.

In another aspect, nanowire release processing may be performed through a replacement gate trench. Examples of such release processes are described below. Additionally, in yet another aspect, backend (BE) interconnect scaling can result in lower performance and higher manufacturing cost due to patterning complexity. Embodiments described herein may be implemented to enable front-side and back-side interconnect integration for nanowire transistors. Embodiments described herein may provide an approach to achieve a relatively wider interconnect pitch. The result may be improved product performance and lower patterning costs. Embodiments may be implemented to enable robust functionality of scaled nanowire or nanoribbon transistors with low power and high performance.

In another aspect, in order to enable access to both conductive contact structures of a pair of asymmetric source and drain contact structures, integrated circuit structures described herein may be fabricated using a back-side reveal of front-side structures fabrication approach. In some exemplary embodiments, reveal of the back-side of a transistor or other device structure entails wafer-level back-side processing. In contrast to a conventional TSV-type technology, a reveal of the back-side of a transistor as described herein may be performed at the density of the device cells, and even within sub-regions of a device. Furthermore, such a reveal of the back-side of a transistor may be performed to remove substantially all of a donor substrate upon which a device layer was disposed during front-side device processing. As such, a microns-deep TSV becomes unnecessary with the thickness of semiconductor in the device cells following a reveal of the back-side of a transistor potentially being only tens or hundreds of nanometers.

Reveal techniques described herein may enable a paradigm shift from “bottom-up” device fabrication to “center-out” fabrication, where the “center” is any layer that is employed in front-side fabrication, revealed from the back-side, and again employed in back-side fabrication. Processing of both a front-side and revealed back-side of a device structure may address many of the challenges associated with fabricating 3D ICs when primarily relying on front-side processing.

A reveal of the back-side of a transistor approach may be employed for example to remove at least a portion of a carrier layer and intervening layer of a donor-host substrate assembly. The process flow begins with an input of a donor-host substrate assembly. A thickness of a carrier layer in the donor-host substrate is polished (e.g., CMP) and/or etched with a wet or dry (e.g., plasma) etch process. Any grind, polish, and/or wet/dry etch process known to be suitable for the composition of the carrier layer may be employed. For example, where the carrier layer is a group IV semiconductor (e.g., silicon) a CMP slurry known to be suitable for thinning the semiconductor may be employed. Likewise, any wet etchant or plasma etch process known to be suitable for thinning the group IV semiconductor may also be employed.

In some embodiments, the above is preceded by cleaving the carrier layer along a fracture plane substantially parallel to the intervening layer. The cleaving or fracture process may be utilized to remove a substantial portion of the carrier layer as a bulk mass, reducing the polish or etch time needed to remove the carrier layer. For example, where a carrier layer is 400-900 µm in thickness, 100-700 µm may be cleaved off by practicing any blanket implant known to promote a wafer-level fracture. In some exemplary embodiments, a light element (e.g., H, He, or Li) is implanted to a uniform target depth within the carrier layer where the fracture plane is desired. Following such a cleaving process, the thickness of the carrier layer remaining in the donor-host substrate assembly may then be polished or etched to complete removal. Alternatively, where the carrier layer is not fractured, the grind, polish and/or etch operation may be employed to remove a greater thickness of the carrier layer.

Next, exposure of an intervening layer is detected. Detection is used to identify a point when the back-side surface of the donor substrate has advanced to nearly the device layer. Any endpoint detection technique known to be suitable for detecting a transition between the materials employed for the carrier layer and the intervening layer may be practiced. In some embodiments, one or more endpoint criteria are based on detecting a change in optical absorbance or emission of the back-side surface of the donor substrate during the polishing or etching performed. In some other embodiments, the endpoint criteria are associated with a change in optical absorbance or emission of byproducts during the polishing or etching of the donor substrate back-side surface. For example, absorbance or emission wavelengths associated with the carrier layer etch byproducts may change as a function of the different compositions of the carrier layer and intervening layer. In other embodiments, the endpoint criteria are associated with a change in mass of species in byproducts of polishing or etching the back-side surface of the donor substrate. For example, the byproducts of processing may be sampled through a quadrupole mass analyzer and a change in the species mass may be correlated to the different compositions of the carrier layer and intervening layer. In another exemplary embodiment, the endpoint criteria is associated with a change in friction between a back-side surface of the donor substrate and a polishing surface in contact with the back-side surface of the donor substrate.

Detection of the intervening layer may be enhanced where the removal process is selective to the carrier layer relative to the intervening layer as non-uniformity in the carrier removal process may be mitigated by an etch rate delta between the carrier layer and intervening layer. Detection may even be skipped if the grind, polish and/or etch operation removes the intervening layer at a rate sufficiently below the rate at which the carrier layer is removed. If an endpoint criteria is not employed, a grind, polish and/or etch operation of a predetermined fixed duration may stop on the intervening layer material if the thickness of the intervening layer is sufficient for the selectivity of the etch. In some examples, the carrier etch rate: intervening layer etch rate is 3:1-10:1, or more.

Upon exposing the intervening layer, at least a portion of the intervening layer may be removed. For example, one or more component layers of the intervening layer may be removed. A thickness of the intervening layer may be removed uniformly by a polish, for example. Alternatively, a thickness of the intervening layer may be removed with a masked or blanket etch process. The process may employ the same polish or etch process as that employed to thin the carrier, or may be a distinct process with distinct process parameters. For example, where the intervening layer provides an etch stop for the carrier removal process, the latter operation may employ a different polish or etch process that favors removal of the intervening layer over removal of the device layer. Where less than a few hundred nanometers of intervening layer thickness is to be removed, the removal process may be relatively slow, optimized for across-wafer uniformity, and more precisely controlled than that employed for removal of the carrier layer. A CMP process employed may, for example employ a slurry that offers very high selectively (e.g., 100:1-300:1, or more) between semiconductor (e.g., silicon) and dielectric material (e.g., SiO) surrounding the device layer and embedded within the intervening layer, for example, as electrical isolation between adjacent device regions.

For embodiments where the device layer is revealed through complete removal of the intervening layer, back-side processing may commence on an exposed back-side of the device layer or specific device regions there in. In some embodiments, the back-side device layer processing includes a further polish or wet/dry etch through a thickness of the device layer disposed between the intervening layer and a device region previously fabricated in the device layer, such as a source or drain region.

In some embodiments where the carrier layer, intervening layer, or device layer back-side is recessed with a wet and/or plasma etch, such an etch may be a patterned etch or a materially selective etch that imparts significant non-planarity or topography into the device layer back-side surface. As described further below, the patterning may be within a device cell (i.e., “intra-cell” patterning) or may be across device cells (i.e., “inter-cell” patterning). In some patterned etch embodiments, at least a partial thickness of the intervening layer is employed as a hard mask for back-side device layer patterning. Hence, a masked etch process may preface a correspondingly masked device layer etch.

The above described processing scheme may result in a donor-host substrate assembly that includes IC devices that have a back-side of an intervening layer, a back-side of the device layer, and/or back-side of one or more semiconductor regions within the device layer, and/or front-side metallization revealed. Additional back-side processing of any of these revealed regions may then be performed during downstream processing.

It is to be appreciated that the structures resulting from the above exemplary processing schemes may be used in a same or similar form for subsequent processing operations to complete device fabrication, such as PMOS and/or NMOS device fabrication. As an example of a completed device, FIG. 5 illustrate a cross-sectional view of a non-planar integrated circuit structure as taken along a gate line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is to be appreciated that a structure described in association with FIG. 5 can be fabricated to include one or more necked features, such as described above in association with FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a semiconductor structure or device 500 includes a non-planar active region (e.g., a fin structure including protruding fin portion 504 and sub-fin region 505) within a trench isolation region 506. In an embodiment, instead of a solid fin, the non-planar active region is separated into nanowires (such as nanowires 504A and 504B) above sub-fin region 505, as is represented by the dashed lines. In either case, for ease of description for non-planar integrated circuit structure 500, a non-planar active region 504 is referenced below as a protruding fin portion. In an embodiment, a fabrication process involves use of a process scheme that provides a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having epitaxial source or drain structures that are formed subsequent to a gate replacement and channel release process.

A gate line 508 is disposed over the protruding portions 504 of the non-planar active region (including, if applicable, surrounding nanowires 504A and 504B), as well as over a portion of the trench isolation region 506. As shown, gate line 508 includes a gate electrode 550 and a gate dielectric layer 552. In one embodiment, gate line 508 may also include a dielectric cap layer 554. A gate contact 514, and overlying gate contact via 516 are also seen from this perspective, along with an overlying metal interconnect 560, all of which are disposed in inter-layer dielectric stacks or layers 570. Also seen from the perspective of FIG. 5 , the gate contact 514 is, in one embodiment, disposed over trench isolation region 506, but not over the non-planar active regions. In another embodiment, the gate contact 514 is over the non-planar active regions.

In an embodiment, the semiconductor structure or device 500 is a non-planar device such as, but not limited to, a fin-FET device, a tri-gate device, a nanoribbon device, or a nanowire device. In such an embodiment, a corresponding semiconducting channel region is composed of or is formed in a three-dimensional body. In one such embodiment, the gate electrode stacks of gate lines 508 surround at least a top surface and a pair of sidewalls of the three-dimensional body.

As is also depicted in FIG. 5 , in an embodiment, an interface 580 exists between a protruding fin portion 504 and sub-fin region 505. The interface 580 can be a transition region between a doped sub-fin region 505 and a lightly or undoped upper fin portion 504. In one such embodiment, each fin is approximately 10 nanometers wide or less, and sub-fin dopants are optionally supplied from an adjacent solid state doping layer at the sub-fin location. In a particular such embodiment, each fin is less than 10 nanometers wide.

Although not depicted in FIG. 5 , it is to be appreciated that source or drain regions of or adjacent to the protruding fin portions 504 are on either side of the gate line 508, i.e., into and out of the page. In one embodiment, the material of the protruding fin portions 504 in the source or drain locations is removed and replaced with another semiconductor material, e.g., by epitaxial deposition to form source or drain structures. The source or drain regions may extend below the height of dielectric layer of trench isolation region 506, i.e., into the sub-fin region 505. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the more heavily doped sub-fin regions, i.e., the doped portions of the fins below interface 580, inhibits source to drain leakage through this portion of the bulk semiconductor fins.

With reference again to FIG. 5 , in an embodiment, fins 504/505 (and, possibly nanowires 504A and 504B) are composed of a crystalline silicon germanium layer which may be doped with a charge carrier, such as but not limited to phosphorus, arsenic, boron, gallium or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, trench isolation region 506, and trench isolation regions (trench isolations structures or trench isolation layers) described throughout, may be composed of a material suitable to ultimately electrically isolate, or contribute to the isolation of, portions of a permanent gate structure from an underlying bulk substrate or isolate active regions formed within an underlying bulk substrate, such as isolating fin active regions. For example, in one embodiment, trench isolation region 506 is composed of a dielectric material such as, but not limited to, silicon dioxide, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon nitride, or carbon-doped silicon nitride.

Gate line 508 may be composed of a gate electrode stack which includes a gate dielectric layer 552 and a gate electrode layer 550. In an embodiment, the gate electrode of the gate electrode stack is composed of a metal gate and the gate dielectric layer is composed of a high-k material. For example, in one embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is composed of a material such as, but not limited to, hafnium oxide, hafnium oxy-nitride, hafnium silicate, lanthanum oxide, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicate, tantalum oxide, barium strontium titanate, barium titanate, strontium titanate, yttrium oxide, aluminum oxide, lead scandium tantalum oxide, lead zinc niobate, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, a portion of gate dielectric layer may include a layer of native oxide formed from the top few layers of the substrate fin 504. In an embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is composed of a top high-k portion and a lower portion composed of an oxide of a semiconductor material. In one embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is composed of a top portion of hafnium oxide and a bottom portion of silicon dioxide or silicon oxy-nitride. In some implementations, a portion of the gate dielectric is a “U″-shaped structure that includes a bottom portion substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate and two sidewall portions that are substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.

In one embodiment, the gate electrode is composed of a metal layer such as, but not limited to, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal silicides, metal aluminides, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, cobalt, nickel or conductive metal oxides. In a specific embodiment, the gate electrode is composed of a non-workfunction-setting fill material formed above a metal workfunction-setting layer. The gate electrode layer may consist of a P-type workfunction metal or an N-type workfunction metal, depending on whether the transistor is to be a PMOS or an NMOS transistor. In some implementations, the gate electrode layer may consist of a stack of two or more metal layers, where one or more metal layers are workfunction metal layers and at least one metal layer is a conductive fill layer. For a PMOS transistor, metals that may be used for the gate electrode include, but are not limited to, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, cobalt, nickel, and conductive metal oxides, e.g., ruthenium oxide. A P-type metal layer will enable the formation of a PMOS gate electrode with a workfunction that is between about 4.9 eV and about 5.2 eV. For an NMOS transistor, metals that may be used for the gate electrode include, but are not limited to, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum, alloys of these metals, and carbides of these metals such as hafnium carbide, zirconium carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, and aluminum carbide. An N-type metal layer will enable the formation of an NMOS gate electrode with a workfunction that is between about 3.9 eV and about 4.2 eV. In some implementations, the gate electrode may consist of a “U”-shaped structure that includes a bottom portion substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate and two sidewall portions that are substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. In another implementation, at least one of the metal layers that form the gate electrode may simply be a planar layer that is substantially parallel to the top surface of the substrate and does not include sidewall portions substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. In further implementations of the disclosure, the gate electrode may consist of a combination of U-shaped structures and planar, non-U-shaped structures. For example, the gate electrode may consist of one or more U-shaped metal layers formed atop one or more planar, non-U-shaped layers.

Spacers associated with the gate electrode stacks may be composed of a material suitable to ultimately electrically isolate, or contribute to the isolation of, a permanent gate structure from adjacent conductive contacts, such as self-aligned contacts. For example, in one embodiment, the spacers are composed of a dielectric material such as, but not limited to, silicon dioxide, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon nitride, or carbon-doped silicon nitride.

Gate contact 514 and overlying gate contact via 516 may be composed of a conductive material. In an embodiment, one or more of the contacts or vias are composed of a metal species. The metal species may be a pure metal, such as tungsten, nickel, or cobalt, or may be an alloy such as a metal-metal alloy or a metal-semiconductor alloy (e.g., such as a silicide material).

In an embodiment (although not shown), a contact pattern which is essentially perfectly aligned to an existing gate pattern 508 is formed while eliminating the use of a lithographic step with exceedingly tight registration budget. In other embodiments, all contacts are front-side connected and are not asymmetric. In one such embodiment, the self-aligned approach enables the use of intrinsically highly selective wet etching (e.g., versus conventionally implemented dry or plasma etching) to generate contact openings. In an embodiment, a contact pattern is formed by utilizing an existing gate pattern in combination with a contact plug lithography operation. In one such embodiment, the approach enables elimination of the need for an otherwise critical lithography operation to generate a contact pattern, as used in conventional approaches. In an embodiment, a trench contact grid is not separately patterned, but is rather formed between poly (gate) lines. For example, in one such embodiment, a trench contact grid is formed subsequent to gate grating patterning but prior to gate grating cuts.

In an embodiment, providing structure 500 involves fabrication of the gate stack structure 508 by a replacement gate process. In such a scheme, dummy gate material such as polysilicon or silicon nitride pillar material, may be removed and replaced with permanent gate electrode material. In one such embodiment, a permanent gate dielectric layer is also formed in this process, as opposed to being carried through from earlier processing. In an embodiment, dummy gates are removed by a dry etch or wet etch process. In one embodiment, dummy gates are composed of polycrystalline silicon or amorphous silicon and are removed with a dry etch process including use of SF₆. In another embodiment, dummy gates are composed of polycrystalline silicon or amorphous silicon and are removed with a wet etch process including use of aqueous NH₄OH or tetramethylammonium hydroxide. In one embodiment, dummy gates are composed of silicon nitride and are removed with a wet etch including aqueous phosphoric acid.

Referring again to FIG. 5 , the arrangement of semiconductor structure or device 500 places the gate contact over isolation regions. Such an arrangement may be viewed as inefficient use of layout space. In another embodiment, however, a semiconductor device has contact structures that contact portions of a gate electrode formed over an active region, e.g., over a fin 505, and in a same layer as a trench contact via.

It is to be appreciated that not all aspects of the processes described above need be practiced to fall within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, the processes described herein may be used to fabricate one or a plurality of semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices may be transistors or like devices. For example, in an embodiment, the semiconductor devices are a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors for logic or memory, or are bipolar transistors. Also, in an embodiment, the semiconductor devices have a three-dimensional architecture, such as a tri-gate device, an independently accessed double gate device, or a FIN-FET. One or more embodiments may be particularly useful for fabricating semiconductor devices at a sub-10 nanometer (10 nm) technology node.

In an embodiment, as used throughout the present description, interlayer dielectric (ILD) material is composed of or includes a layer of a dielectric or insulating material. Examples of suitable dielectric materials include, but are not limited to, oxides of silicon (e.g., silicon dioxide (SiO₂)), doped oxides of silicon, fluorinated oxides of silicon, carbon doped oxides of silicon, various low-k dielectric materials known in the arts, and combinations thereof. The interlayer dielectric material may be formed by conventional techniques, such as, for example, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), or by other deposition methods.

In an embodiment, as is also used throughout the present description, metal lines or interconnect line material (and via material) is composed of one or more metal or other conductive structures. A common example is the use of copper lines and structures that may or may not include barrier layers between the copper and surrounding ILD material. As used herein, the term metal includes alloys, stacks, and other combinations of multiple metals. For example, the metal interconnect lines may include barrier layers (e.g., layers including one or more of Ta, TaN, Ti or TiN), stacks of different metals or alloys, etc. Thus, the interconnect lines may be a single material layer, or may be formed from several layers, including conductive liner layers and fill layers. Any suitable deposition process, such as electroplating, chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition, may be used to form interconnect lines. In an embodiment, the interconnect lines are composed of a conductive material such as, but not limited to, Cu, Al, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ru, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, W, Ag, Au or alloys thereof. The interconnect lines are also sometimes referred to in the art as traces, wires, lines, metal, or simply interconnect.

In an embodiment, as is also used throughout the present description, hardmask materials, capping layers, or plugs are composed of dielectric materials different from the interlayer dielectric material. In one embodiment, different hardmask, capping or plug materials may be used in different regions so as to provide different growth or etch selectivity to each other and to the underlying dielectric and metal layers. In some embodiments, a hardmask layer, capping or plug layer includes a layer of a nitride of silicon (e.g., silicon nitride) or a layer of an oxide of silicon, or both, or a combination thereof. Other suitable materials may include carbon-based materials. Other hardmask, capping or plug layers known in the arts may be used depending upon the particular implementation. The hardmask, capping or plug layers maybe formed by CVD, PVD, or by other deposition methods.

In an embodiment, as is also used throughout the present description, lithographic operations are performed using 193 nm immersion lithography (i193), EUV and/or EBDW lithography, or the like. A positive tone or a negative tone resist may be used. In one embodiment, a lithographic mask is a trilayer mask composed of a topographic masking portion, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer, and a photoresist layer. In a particular such embodiment, the topographic masking portion is a carbon hardmask (CHM) layer and the anti-reflective coating layer is a silicon ARC layer.

In another aspect, one or more embodiments are directed to neighboring semiconductor structures or devices separated by self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) structures. Particular embodiments may be directed to integration of multiple width (multi-Wsi) nanowires and nanoribbons in a SAGE architecture and separated by a SAGE wall. In an embodiment, nanowires/nanoribbons are integrated with multiple Wsi in a SAGE architecture portion of a front-end process flow. Such a process flow may involve integration of nanowires and nanoribbons of different Wsi to provide robust functionality of next generation transistors with low power and high performance. Associated epitaxial source or drain regions may be embedded (e.g., portions of nanowires removed and then source or drain (S/D) growth is performed), and may be formed subsequent to a gate replacement and channel release process.

To provide further context, advantages of a self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architecture may include the enabling of higher layout density and, in particular, scaling of diffusion to diffusion spacing. To provide illustrative comparison, FIG. 6 illustrates cross-sectional views taken through nanowires and fins for a non-endcap architecture (left-hand side (a)) versus a self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architecture (right-hand side (b)), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is to be appreciated that a structure described in association with FIG. 6 can be fabricated to included one or more necked features, such as described above in association with FIG. 1B.

Referring to the left-hand side (a) of FIG. 6 , an integrated circuit structure 600 includes a substrate 602 having fins 604 protruding there from by an amount 606 above an isolation structure 608 laterally surrounding lower portions of the fins 604. Upper portions of the fins may include a relaxed buffer layer 622 and a defect modification layer 620, as is depicted. Corresponding nanowires 605 are over the fins 604. A gate structure may be formed over the integrated circuit structure 600 to fabricate a device. However, breaks in such a gate structure may be accommodated for by increasing the spacing between fin 604/nanowire 605 pairs.

By contrast, referring to the right-hand side (b) of FIG. 6 , an integrated circuit structure 650 includes a substrate 652 having fins 654 protruding therefrom by an amount 656 above an isolation structure 658 laterally surrounding lower portions of the fins 654. Upper portions of the fins may include a relaxed buffer layer 672 and a defect modification layer 670, as is depicted. Corresponding nanowires 655 are over the fins 654. Isolating SAGE walls 660 (which may include a hardmask thereon, as depicted) are included within the isolation structure 652 and between adjacent fin 654/nanowire 655 pairs. The distance between an isolating SAGE wall 660 and a nearest fin 654/nanowire 655 pair defines the gate endcap spacing 662. A gate structure may be formed over the integrated circuit structure 600, between insolating SAGE walls to fabricate a device. Breaks in such a gate structure are imposed by the isolating SAGE walls. Since the isolating SAGE walls 660 are self-aligned, restrictions from conventional approaches can be minimized to enable more aggressive diffusion to diffusion spacing. Furthermore, since gate structures include breaks at all locations, individual gate structure portions may be layer connected by local interconnects formed over the isolating SAGE walls 660. In an embodiment, as depicted, the SAGE walls 660 each include a lower dielectric portion and a dielectric cap on the lower dielectric portion. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fabrication process for structures associated with FIG. 6 involves use of a process scheme that provides a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having epitaxial source or drain structures that are formed subsequent to a gate replacement and channel release process.

A self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) processing scheme involves the formation of gate/trench contact endcaps self-aligned to fins without requiring an extra length to account for mask mis-registration. Thus, embodiments may be implemented to enable shrinking of transistor layout area. Embodiments described herein may involve the fabrication of gate endcap isolation structures, which may also be referred to as gate walls, isolation gate walls or self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) walls.

In an exemplary processing scheme for structures having SAGE walls separating neighboring devices, FIG. 7 illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in a method of fabricating a self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) structure with gate-all-around devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is to be appreciated that a structure described in association with FIG. 7 can be fabricated to included one or more necked features, such as described above in association with FIG. 1B.

Referring to part (a) of FIG. 7 , a starting structure includes a nanowire patterning stack 704 above a substrate 702. A lithographic patterning stack 706 is formed above the nanowire patterning stack 704. The nanowire patterning stack 704 includes alternating sacrificial layers 710 and nanowire layers 712, which may be above a relaxed buffer layer 782 and a defect modification layer 780, as is depicted. A protective mask 714 is between the nanowire patterning stack 704 and the lithographic patterning stack 706. In one embodiment, the lithographic patterning stack 706 is trilayer mask composed of a topographic masking portion 720, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer 722, and a photoresist layer 724. In a particular such embodiment, the topographic masking portion 720 is a carbon hardmask (CHM) layer and the anti-reflective coating layer 722 is a silicon ARC layer.

Referring to part (b) of FIG. 7 , the stack of part (a) is lithographically patterned and then etched to provide an etched structure including a patterned substrate 702 and trenches 730.

Referring to part (c) of FIG. 7 , the structure of part (b) has an isolation layer 740 and a SAGE material 742 formed in trenches 730. The structure is then planarized to leave patterned topographic masking layer 720′ as an exposed upper layer.

Referring to part (d) of FIG. 7 , the isolation layer 740 is recessed below an upper surface of the patterned substrate 702, e.g., to define a protruding fin portion and to provide a trench isolation structure 741 beneath SAGE walls 742.

Referring to part (e) of FIG. 7 , the sacrificial layers 710 are removed at least in the channel region to release nanowires 712A and 712B. Subsequent to the formation of the structure of part (e) of FIG. 7 , a gate stacks may be formed around nanowires 712B or 712A, over protruding fins of substrate 702, and between SAGE walls 742. In one embodiment, prior to formation of the gate stacks, the remaining portion of protective mask 714 is removed. In another embodiment, the remaining portion of protective mask 714 is retained as an insulating fin hat as an artifact of the processing scheme.

Referring again to part (e) of FIG. 7 , it is to be appreciated that a channel view is depicted, with source or drain regions being locating into and out of the page. In an embodiment, the channel region including nanowires 712B has a width less than the channel region including nanowires 712A. Thus, in an embodiment, an integrated circuit structure includes multiple width (multi-Wsi) nanowires. Although structures of 712B and 712A may be differentiated as nanowires and nanoribbons, respectively, both such structures are typically referred to herein as nanowires. It is also to be appreciated that reference to or depiction of a fin/nanowire pair throughout may refer to a structure including a fin and one or more overlying nanowires (e.g., two overlying nanowires are shown in FIG. 7 ). In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fabrication process for structures associated with FIG. 7 involves use of a process scheme that provides a gate-all-around integrated circuit structure having epitaxial source or drain structures that are formed subsequent to a gate replacement and channel release process.

In an embodiment, as described throughout, self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) isolation structures may be composed of a material or materials suitable to ultimately electrically isolate, or contribute to the isolation of, portions of permanent gate structures from one another. Exemplary materials or material combinations include a single material structure such as silicon dioxide, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon nitride, or carbon-doped silicon nitride. Other exemplary materials or material combinations include a multi-layer stack having lower portion silicon dioxide, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon nitride, or carbon-doped silicon nitride and an upper portion higher dielectric constant material such as hafnium oxide.

To highlight an exemplary integrated circuit structure having three vertically arranged nanowires, FIG. 8A illustrates a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based integrated circuit structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional source or drain view of the nanowire-based integrated circuit structure of FIG. 8A, as taken along the a-a′ axis. FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional channel view of the nanowire-based integrated circuit structure of FIG. 8A, as taken along the b-b′ axis. It is to be appreciated that a structure described in association with FIGS. 8A-8C can be fabricated to included one or more necked features, such as described above in association with FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 8A, an integrated circuit structure 800 includes one or more vertically stacked nanowires (804 set) above a substrate 802. In an embodiment, as depicted, a relaxed buffer layer 802C, a defect modification layer 802B, and a lower substrate portion 802A are included in substrate 802, as is depicted. An optional fin below the bottommost nanowire and formed from the substrate 802 is not depicted for the sake of emphasizing the nanowire portion for illustrative purposes. Embodiments herein are targeted at both single wire devices and multiple wire devices. As an example, a three nanowire-based devices having nanowires 804A, 804B and 804C is shown for illustrative purposes. For convenience of description, nanowire 804A is used as an example where description is focused on one of the nanowires. It is to be appreciated that where attributes of one nanowire are described, embodiments based on a plurality of nanowires may have the same or essentially the same attributes for each of the nanowires.

Each of the nanowires 804 includes a channel region 806 in the nanowire. The channel region 806 has a length (L). Referring to FIG. 8C, the channel region also has a perimeter (Pc) orthogonal to the length (L). Referring to both FIGS. 8A and 8C, a gate electrode stack 808 surrounds the entire perimeter (Pc) of each of the channel regions 806. The gate electrode stack 808 includes a gate electrode along with a gate dielectric layer between the channel region 806 and the gate electrode (not shown). In an embodiment, the channel region is discrete in that it is completely surrounded by the gate electrode stack 808 without any intervening material such as underlying substrate material or overlying channel fabrication materials. Accordingly, in embodiments having a plurality of nanowires 804, the channel regions 806 of the nanowires are also discrete relative to one another.

Referring to both FIGS. 8A and 8B, integrated circuit structure 800 includes a pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812. The pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 is on either side of the channel regions 806 of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires 804. Furthermore, the pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 is adjoining for the channel regions 806 of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires 804. In one such embodiment, not depicted, the pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 is directly vertically adjoining for the channel regions 806 in that epitaxial growth is on and between nanowire portions extending beyond the channel regions 806, where nanowire ends are shown within the source or drain structures. In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 8A, the pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 is indirectly vertically adjoining for the channel regions 806 in that they are formed at the ends of the nanowires and not between the nanowires. In an embodiment, the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 are non-discrete source or drain regions that are formed subsequent to a gate replacement and channel release process.

In an embodiment, as depicted, the source or drain regions 810/812 are non-discrete in that there are not individual and discrete source or drain regions for each channel region 806 of a nanowire 804. Accordingly, in embodiments having a plurality of nanowires 804, the source or drain regions 810/812 of the nanowires are global or unified source or drain regions as opposed to discrete for each nanowire. That is, the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 are global in the sense that a single unified feature is used as a source or drain region for a plurality (in this case, 3) of nanowires 804 and, more particularly, for more than one discrete channel region 806. In one embodiment, from a cross-sectional perspective orthogonal to the length of the discrete channel regions 806, each of the pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 is approximately rectangular in shape with a bottom tapered portion and a top vertex portion, as depicted in FIG. 8B.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and as depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, integrated circuit structure 800 further includes a pair of contacts 814, each contact 814 on one of the pair of non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812. In one such embodiment, in a vertical sense, each contact 814 completely surrounds the respective non-discrete source or drain region 810/812. In another aspect, the entire perimeter of the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 may not be accessible for contact with contacts 814, and the contact 814 thus only partially surrounds the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812, as depicted in FIG. 8B. In a contrasting embodiment, not depicted, the entire perimeter of the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812, as taken along the a-a′ axis, is surrounded by the contacts 814.

Referring again to FIG. 8A, in an embodiment, integrated circuit structure 800 further includes a pair of spacers 816. As is depicted, outer portions of the pair of spacers 816 may overlap portions of the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812, providing for “embedded” portions of the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 beneath the pair of spacers 816. As is also depicted, the embedded portions of the non-discrete source or drain regions 810/812 may not extend beneath the entirety of the pair of spacers 816.

Substrate 802 may be composed of a material suitable for integrated circuit structure fabrication. In one embodiment, substrate 802 includes a lower bulk substrate composed of a single crystal of a material which may include, but is not limited to, silicon, germanium, silicon-germanium, germanium-tin, silicon-germanium-tin, or a group III-V compound semiconductor material. An upper insulator layer composed of a material which may include, but is not limited to, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride or silicon oxy-nitride is on the lower bulk substrate. Thus, the structure 800 may be fabricated from a starting semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. Alternatively, the structure 800 is formed directly from a bulk substrate and local oxidation is used to form electrically insulative portions in place of the above described upper insulator layer. In another alternative embodiment, the structure 800 is formed directly from a bulk substrate and doping is used to form electrically isolated active regions, such as nanowires, thereon. In one such embodiment, the first nanowire (i.e., proximate the substrate) is in the form of an omega-FET type structure.

In an embodiment, the nanowires 804 may be sized as wires or ribbons, as described below, and may have squared-off or rounder corners. In an embodiment, the nanowires 804 are composed of a material such as, but not limited to, silicon, germanium, or a combination thereof. In one such embodiment, the nanowires are single-crystalline. For example, for a silicon nanowire 804, a single-crystalline nanowire may be based from a (100) global orientation, e.g., with a <100> plane in the z-direction. As described below, other orientations may also be considered. In an embodiment, the dimensions of the nanowires 804, from a cross-sectional perspective, are on the nanoscale. For example, in a specific embodiment, the smallest dimension of the nanowires 804 is less than approximately 20 nanometers. In an embodiment, the nanowires 804 are composed of a strained material, particularly in the channel regions 806.

Referring to FIG. 8C, in an embodiment, each of the channel regions 806 has a width (Wc) and a height (Hc), the width (Wc) approximately the same as the height (Hc). That is, in both cases, the channel regions 806 are square-like or, if corner-rounded, circle-like in cross-section profile. In another aspect, the width and height of the channel region need not be the same, such as the case for nanoribbons as described throughout.

In an embodiment, as described throughout, an integrated circuit structure includes non-planar devices such as, but not limited to, a finFET or a tri-gate device with corresponding one or more overlying nanowire structures. In such an embodiment, a corresponding semiconducting channel region is composed of or is formed in a three-dimensional body with one or more discrete nanowire channel portions overlying the three-dimensional body. In one such embodiment, the gate structures surround at least a top surface and a pair of sidewalls of the three-dimensional body, and further surrounds each of the one or more discrete nanowire channel portions.

In an embodiment, as described throughout, an underlying substrate may be composed of a semiconductor material that can withstand a manufacturing process and in which charge can migrate. In an embodiment, the substrate is a bulk substrate composed of a crystalline silicon, silicon/germanium or germanium layer doped with a charge carrier, such as but not limited to phosphorus, arsenic, boron, gallium or a combination thereof, to form an active region. In one embodiment, the concentration of silicon atoms in a bulk substrate is greater than 97%. In another embodiment, a bulk substrate is composed of an epitaxial layer grown atop a distinct crystalline substrate, e.g. a silicon epitaxial layer grown atop a boron-doped bulk silicon mono-crystalline substrate. A bulk substrate may alternatively be composed of a group III-V material. In an embodiment, a bulk substrate is composed of a group III-V material such as, but not limited to, gallium nitride, gallium phosphide, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, indium antimonide, indium gallium arsenide, aluminum gallium arsenide, indium gallium phosphide, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a bulk substrate is composed of a group III-V material and the charge-carrier dopant impurity atoms are ones such as, but not limited to, carbon, silicon, germanium, oxygen, sulfur, selenium or tellurium.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be used to manufacture a wide variety of different types of integrated circuits and/or microelectronic devices. Examples of such integrated circuits include, but are not limited to, processors, chipset components, graphics processors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like. In other embodiments, semiconductor memory may be manufactured. Moreover, the integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices may be used in a wide variety of electronic devices known in the arts. For example, in computer systems (e.g., desktop, laptop, server), cellular phones, personal electronics, etc. The integrated circuits may be coupled with a bus and other components in the systems. For example, a processor may be coupled by one or more buses to a memory, a chipset, etc. Each of the processor, the memory, and the chipset, may potentially be manufactured using the approaches disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computing device 900 in accordance with one implementation of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computing device 900 houses a board 902. The board 902 may include a number of components, including but not limited to a processor 904 and at least one communication chip 906. The processor 904 is physically and electrically coupled to the board 902. In some implementations the at least one communication chip 906 is also physically and electrically coupled to the board 902. In further implementations, the communication chip 906 is part of the processor 904.

Depending on its applications, computing device 900 may include other components that may or may not be physically and electrically coupled to the board 902. These other components include, but are not limited to, volatile memory (e.g., DRAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM), flash memory, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, a crypto processor, a chipset, an antenna, a display, a touchscreen display, a touchscreen controller, a battery, an audio codec, a video codec, a power amplifier, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a speaker, a camera, and a mass storage device (such as hard disk drive, compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), and so forth).

The communication chip 906 enables wireless communications for the transfer of data to and from the computing device 900. The term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. The communication chip 906 may implement any of a number of wireless standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing device 900 may include a plurality of communication chips 906. For instance, a first communication chip 906 may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second communication chip 906 may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

The processor 904 of the computing device 900 includes an integrated circuit die packaged within the processor 904. The integrated circuit die of the processor 904 may include one or more structures, such as gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features built in accordance with implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure. The term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory.

The communication chip 906 also includes an integrated circuit die packaged within the communication chip 906. The integrated circuit die of the communication chip 906 may include one or more structures, such as gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features built in accordance with implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure.

In further implementations, another component housed within the computing device 900 may contain an integrated circuit die that includes one or structures, such as gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features built in accordance with implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure.

In various implementations, the computing device 900 may be a laptop, a netbook, a notebook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra mobile PC, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a server, a printer, a scanner, a monitor, a set-top box, an entertainment control unit, a digital camera, a portable music player, or a digital video recorder. In further implementations, the computing device 900 may be any other electronic device that processes data.

FIG. 10 illustrates an interposer 1000 that includes one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The interposer 1000 is an intervening substrate used to bridge a first substrate 1002 to a second substrate 1004. The first substrate 1002 may be, for instance, an integrated circuit die. The second substrate 1004 may be, for instance, a memory module, a computer motherboard, or another integrated circuit die. Generally, the purpose of an interposer 1000 is to spread a connection to a wider pitch or to reroute a connection to a different connection. For example, an interposer 1000 may couple an integrated circuit die to a ball grid array (BGA) 1006 that can subsequently be coupled to the second substrate 1004. In some embodiments, the first and second substrates 1002/1004 are attached to opposing sides of the interposer 1000. In other embodiments, the first and second substrates 1002/1004 are attached to the same side of the interposer 1000. And in further embodiments, three or more substrates are interconnected by way of the interposer 1000.

The interposer 1000 may be formed of an epoxy resin, a fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin, a ceramic material, or a polymer material such as polyimide. In further implementations, the interposer 1000 may be formed of alternate rigid or flexible materials that may include the same materials described above for use in a semiconductor substrate, such as silicon, germanium, and other group III-V and group IV materials.

The interposer 1000 may include metal interconnects 1008 and vias 1010, including but not limited to through-silicon vias (TSVs) 1012. The interposer 1000 may further include embedded devices 1014, including both passive and active devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to, capacitors, decoupling capacitors, resistors, inductors, fuses, diodes, transformers, sensors, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices. More complex devices such as radio-frequency (RF) devices, power amplifiers, power management devices, antennas, arrays, sensors, and MEMS devices may also be formed on the interposer 1000. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, apparatuses or processes disclosed herein may be used in the fabrication of interposer 1000 or in the fabrication of components included in the interposer 1000.

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure include gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having necked features.

The above description of illustrated implementations of embodiments of the disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. While specific implementations of, and examples for, the disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

These modifications may be made to the disclosure in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.

Example embodiment 1: An integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. Each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires has a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and has end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness. A gate stack is surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

Example embodiment 2: The integrated circuit structure of example embodiment 1, wherein the gate stack includes a layer of an oxide of the channel portion, a high-k gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode.

Example embodiment 3: The integrated circuit structure of example embodiment 1 or 2, further including source or drain structures coupled to the end portions of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

Example embodiment 4: The integrated circuit structure of example embodiment 1, 2 or 3, further including a spacer structure surrounding each of the end portions of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

Example embodiment 5: The integrated circuit structure of example embodiment 4, wherein the spacer structure is vertically overlapping with a portion of the gate stack.

Example embodiment 6: The integrated circuit structure of example embodiment 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, further including a second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, each nanowire of the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a third vertical thickness and having end portions with a fourth vertical thickness greater than the third vertical thickness, wherein the fourth vertical thickness is greater than the third vertical thickness by an amount different than an amount that the second vertical thickness is greater than the first vertical thickness, and wherein the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires has a threshold voltage different than a threshold voltage of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A second gate stack is surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

Example embodiment 7: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure includes forming a vertical arrangement of nanowires, each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and having end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness. The method also includes forming a permanent gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. The method also includes forming a first epitaxial source or drain structure at a first end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires, and forming a second epitaxial source or drain structure at a second end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires.

Example embodiment 8: The method of example embodiment 7, wherein forming the permanent gate stack includes removing a dummy gate electrode from over an initial vertical arrangement of nanowires, etching channel regions of the initial vertical arrangement of nanowires to form the vertical arrangement of nanowires, and then forming the permanent gate stack surrounding the etched channel regions.

Example embodiment 9: The method of example embodiment 8, further including releasing the vertical arrangement of nanowires from a sacrificial material subsequent to removing the dummy gate electrode and prior to forming the permanent gate stack.

Example embodiment 10: The method of example embodiment 7, 8 or 9, wherein the first and second epitaxial source or drain structures are formed prior to forming the permanent gate stack.

Example embodiment 11: The method of example embodiment 7, 8 or 9, wherein the first and second epitaxial source or drain structures are formed subsequent to forming the permanent gate stack.

Example embodiment 12: A computing device includes a board and a component coupled to the board. The component includes an integrated circuit structure including a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. Each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires has a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and has end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness. A gate stack is surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.

Example embodiment 13: The computing device of example embodiment 12, further including a memory coupled to the board.

Example embodiment 14: The computing device of example embodiment 12 or 13, further including a communication chip coupled to the board.

Example embodiment 15: The computing device of example embodiment 12, 13 or 14, further including a battery coupled to the board.

Example embodiment 16: The computing device of example embodiment 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die.

Example embodiment 17: A computing device includes a board and a component coupled to the board. The component includes an integrated circuit structure formed according to a method including forming a vertical arrangement of nanowires, each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and having end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness. The method also includes forming a permanent gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. The method also includes forming a first epitaxial source or drain structure at a first end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires, and forming a second epitaxial source or drain structure at a second end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires.

Example embodiment 18: The computing device of example embodiment 17, further including a memory coupled to the board.

Example embodiment 19: The computing device of example embodiment 17 or 18, further including a communication chip coupled to the board.

Example embodiment 20: The computing device of example embodiment 17, 18 or 19, further including a battery coupled to the board.

Example embodiment 21: The computing device of example embodiment 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit structure, comprising: a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and having end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness; and a gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.
 2. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the gate stack comprises a layer of an oxide of the channel portion, a high-k gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode.
 3. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, further comprising source or drain structures coupled to the end portions of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.
 4. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, further comprising a spacer structure surrounding each of the end portions of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.
 5. The integrated circuit structure of claim 4, wherein the spacer structure is vertically overlapping with a portion of the gate stack.
 6. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, further comprising: a second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, each nanowire of the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a third vertical thickness and having end portions with a fourth vertical thickness greater than the third vertical thickness, wherein the fourth vertical thickness is greater than the third vertical thickness by an amount different than an amount that the second vertical thickness is greater than the first vertical thickness, and wherein the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires has a threshold voltage different than a threshold voltage of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires; and a second gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.
 7. A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure, the method comprising: forming a vertical arrangement of nanowires, each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and having end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness; forming a permanent gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires; and forming a first epitaxial source or drain structure at a first end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires, and forming a second epitaxial source or drain structure at a second end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein forming the permanent gate stack comprises removing a dummy gate electrode from over an initial vertical arrangement of nanowires, etching channel regions of the initial vertical arrangement of nanowires to form the vertical arrangement of nanowires, and then forming the permanent gate stack surrounding the etched channel regions.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising releasing the vertical arrangement of nanowires from a sacrificial material subsequent to removing the dummy gate electrode and prior to forming the permanent gate stack.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second epitaxial source or drain structures are formed prior to forming the permanent gate stack.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second epitaxial source or drain structures are formed subsequent to forming the permanent gate stack.
 12. A computing device, comprising: a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, the integrated circuit structure comprising: a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and having end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness; and a gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires.
 13. The computing device of claim 12, further comprising: a memory coupled to the board.
 14. The computing device of claim 12, further comprising: a communication chip coupled to the board.
 15. The computing device of claim 12, further comprising: a battery coupled to the board.
 16. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die.
 17. A computing device, comprising: a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, the integrated circuit structure formed according to a method comprising: forming a vertical arrangement of nanowires, each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires having a channel portion with a first vertical thickness and having end portions with a second vertical thickness greater than the first vertical thickness; forming a permanent gate stack surrounding the channel portion of each nanowire of the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires; and forming a first epitaxial source or drain structure at a first end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires, and forming a second epitaxial source or drain structure at a second end of the vertical arrangement of nanowires.
 18. The computing device of claim 17, further comprising: a memory coupled to the board.
 19. The computing device of claim 17, further comprising: a communication chip coupled to the board.
 20. The computing device of claim 17, further comprising: a battery coupled to the board.
 21. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die. 